United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusun Murut Organization (UPKO) Youth Chief Arthur Sen said at the moment, there is a DCM to look after the needs of particular community, namely Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin serving the Muslim Bumiputeras, Datuk Seri Panglima Pairin Kitingan, serving the KadazanDusun Murut community and Raymond Tan for Chinese.

“So there is already the sentiment that the DCM only serve one particular community and this message is not good for the 1Malaysia concept” Arthur said. He was of opinion that the 1Malaysia concept could be better serve if there is only one DCM in Sabah which was the system during past Governments such before the Parti Bersatu Sabah rules.

Arthur pointed out that having 3 DCMs not only does not reflect the 1Malaysia concept but also a waste of ‘tax-payers’ money. Should the CM decide to do away the three DCM posts, he said a non-Muslim Bumiputera should be appointed as the new DCM because the CM is from the Muslim Bumiputera community.

On the appointment of Azman Ruslan as Sabah Umno Youth Chief, Arthur said he welcomed the decision by the movement‘s National Chief, Khairy Jamaluddin.

He however disagreed with the fact that Azman was automatically appointed as the Sabah BN Youth Movement Chief.

“Khairy should have consulted the BN component parties’ Youth movements as they may have their own leaders to be recommended for the post”

Arthur also suggested that Azman be referred to as the UMNO Sabah Youth Movement Liaison Chairman which is the same as how the State Central Liaison Committee Chairman are referred to.

Met at Terminal Two upon his return from Kuala Lumpur, Monday, he said he intends to practise the concept of discussion with colleagues in Sabah BN Youth.

“I believe that through discussions, we would be able to resolve issues and problems,” he said.

On Upko deputy Youth chief Masiung Banah’s call for him to pay more attention to people in the interior, he said as head of Sabah BN Youth, his role covers all the people in Sabah.

“But I am positive as to what he (Masiung) has proposed,” he said, adding that it is very obvious that the interior faces a lot of shortages. He would convene a meeting soon with Sabah BN Youth leaders.

At the same time, Azman said they would invite BN Youth leader Khairy Jamaludin to come to Sabah to make good on what he had promised for the State.

As Sabah Umno Youth chief, his objective is to assist the BN Government to be further strengthened.

He also aims to be the voice of the people and that to achieve it, the 24 Umno Youth division chiefs in the State would be mobilised.

“I want the machinery and division chiefs to become the samurai for Umno as requested by Khairy,” he said.

Umno Youth, he said should become the backbone of the people and party where it implements the vision and objective underlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his “One Malaysia: People First, Performance Now” concept.

Azman said his duty as Sabah Umno Youth chief and Sabah BN Youth chief is a big challenge but that he is confident with the support and strength from Sabah BN Youth, he would be able to execute his duty with responsibility and determination.

“We would be going into the villages to take note of the people’s welfare and hardship,” he said.

The time has come for less politicking, he said, adding that the people’s welfare is paramount. Azman, 39, who is married with six children, is from Gerakan Daya Wawasan of Kampung Bayangan.

He became active in politics starting 2004 when he was elected Keningau Umno Youth chief, a position he maintained until now.

He obtained his law degree from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa and Masters degree in political science from Hillsbrough University. He is a practising lawyer and has his own law firm.

“The action to bring more component parties in Sabah may lead to the problem of party political flooding which will directly affect the credibility and image of the Barisan Nasional, especially in Sabah,” he said.

Masiung who is also Kuamut Assemblyman, however, has full confidence in the wisdom of the Chief Minister and Prime Minister to study and understand the sensitivity of the BN component parties in Sabah.

He said in the last general election, it was clear that the voters had lost confidence in Gerakan and as such Tan should have the sensible mind to think of his action for the people of Sabah.

In joining Gerakan, Tan showed that it was for his own interest and not for the people of Sabah, especially the Chinese, as he is holding the post of Deputy Chief Minister under the Chinese quota, claimed Tong.

He challenged Tan to step down as Deputy Chief Minister as well as Infrastructure Development Minister, claiming that he had failed to represent the Chinese community as well as in his duties as Minister in charge of infrastructure development.

He said infrastructure in the district such as roads, electricity and water supply were still lacking and have not been addressed despite Tan holding the post for two terms.